Casey Barth agreed to a free agent deal with the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday

Every college football player dreams of hearing his name called as part of the NFL draft. It’s a moment he’ll never forget, regardless of how long his professional career lasts.

Sometimes, though, it’s to a player’s advantage not to be picked.

That’s how things worked out for Casey Barth and Nick Becton on Saturday.

Instead of being tied down to a specific team as a late-round pick, the Wilmington natives were able to choose between several offers as undrafted free agents.

For Barth, a kicker from North Carolina and Hoggard High, that turned out to be the Atlanta Falcons.

For Becton, an offensive tackle from New Hanover who played his college ball at Virginia Tech, it was the San Diego Chargers that presented the best opportunity to make the roster and fulfill his professional football dream.

Barth’s offer from Atlanta came as something as a surprise, since neither he nor his agent had any contact with the team in the weeks leading up to the draft. He decided to accept it because unlike his other offers from the Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts, he wouldn’t have to compete just to earn a spot in training camp later this summer.

“Atlanta wanted to sign me to a one-shot contract. Carolina and the Colts were talking about me competing with other rookies with just a tryout contact,” said Barth, who is scheduled to report for rookie camp next Friday. “It’s just better for me as I try to move up in the ranks a little bit.”

Barth finished his UNC career with a school-record 62 field goals and a percentage of 80.5. He set another school mark by converting his final 126 extra points without a miss.

In Atlanta, he will be competing with veteran Matt Bryant.

Although Bryant made 33 of his 38 attempts last season, including a long of 55 yards, he is 37 years old and carries a much higher price tag than an undrafted rookie. Barth would become an NFC South division rival of his older brother Connor if he is able to beat out Bryant and win the job with the Super Bowl contending Falcons.

Connor Barth kicks for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“That would be unbelievable,” he said. “They told me they wanted me to come in and compete for the job. That’s all I can ask for.”

Only two kickers – Dustin Hopkins of Florida State (Bills) and Caleb Sturgis of Florida (Dolphins) were taken in the seven-round draft.

Nick Becton signed a free agent deal with the San Diego Chargers on Saturday

The pool of offensive tackles was much deeper. But after signing with San Diego as a free agent, Becton now has just as much a shot at making the roster as those whose names were called over the past three days.

“This is what I’ve been working for,” Becton said. “Now it’s up to me to go out there and make the team.”

Like Barth, Becton had his choice between several teams interested in signing him once the draft was over. He picked the Chargers because of their need to strengthen an offensive line that forced quarterback Philip Rivers to stay on the run most of last season.

San Diego took Alabama tackle D.J. Fluker in the first round, but he was the team’s only offensive line selection in the draft.

“They told me they needed some more good lineman,” Becton said, “so I felt like that would be the best opportunity for me.”

The Chargers’ rookie camp is scheduled to start next week.

Becton and Barth and the second and third Wilmington natives to earn a shot at playing in the NFL in this rookie class. Offensive guard Jonathan Cooper, a former teammate of Barth at both UNC and Hoggard, was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday with the No. 7 overall pick in the first round.